"Detective Reed," an unwelcome voice greeted two days later. It was unwelcome by Nines at least. He almost glared at Colin as he led Perkins towards Reed, who was standing beside him at his desk. They were standing close as Reed leaned on his chair and stooped in to point out to see the grainy old footage that Nines had tried to clean up. Reed wasn't ready to be questioned and prodded by the FBI. The agents shouldn't have come. Nines watched Reed's vitals jump and his body stiffen at the greeting, though a human wouldn't have noticed the change outwardly. Nines mourned the loss of closeness as Reed straightened up, slightly stiff and on guard as the agents approached. Although he was doing a little better and Dr Marr was pleased with his progress, he still wasn't back on active duty just yet. He'd been buried in the archives for the past two days solid, rearranging case files and old evidence boxes. He was actually taking a break by looking at these cold cases.
"Agent Perkins, what brings you here?" Reed asked with a hint of wariness as Perkins approached, sharp eyes giving him the once over. Since he was in charge of the case, he'd obviously heard about what happened with Aaron Hughes, and he'd looked over the scene. He didn't need to ask to know that Reed was still affected, and his presence made him anxious. The FBI could only be there for one of two reasons.
"A fifth body turned up," Perkins replied, noting the way Reed actually seemed to relax at that, losing a little of the tenseness in his shoulders. He hadn't really expected the Hickory Killer to strike again so soon, not when he knew he was still reeling from the last one. He'd wait a while. He'd wait until he was just starting to get his shit together again, and then he'd-Reed didn't want to think about what the sicko would pull next. He'd come in hard by targeting Aaron. He'd made his grand return and fucked him over in the process. Reed shivered as he realised that most of the people he could target next were currently standing in that very room. Tina, Hank, Fowler, Connor, Nines…
"Agent Perkins was eager to see you again, Detective. How are you?" Colin asked in a worried tone that reminded him of Connor. Perkins huffed quietly, not arguing the point. It was true. He had become slightly fond of Reed over the past few weeks. He was a sharp young man with good instincts and an eye for the finer details. He'd offer him a position on his team if he thought for a moment he'd ever leave the DPD. After more than a decade of service, it seemed the Reed had made a place for himself at the station. He'd probably be promoted again soon. It was long overdue.
"I'm good, Toaster. No need to worry about me," Reed replied softly, smirking a little at the way Colin's LED stuttered between yellow and blue at the new nickname he'd been gifted. He'd heard Reed using such terms in reference to his brothers, but he hadn't expected to receive one himself. It was touching on some level. It made him feel accepted. "So…bees?" Reed added questioningly as he folded his arms and leaned his hip on the edge of Nines' desk. He looked to Perkins since Colin seemed to have retreated into his shell of shyness again.
"Not quite…This time the victim was left at the local arboretum on a bed of pink flowers with honey painted on her lips and honeycomb dust thrown on her like glitter…It's getting colder, so there aren't many bees around at this time of year," Perkins replied, watching Reed nod thoughtfully as Connor turned in his chair to join them. Reed watched as the androids' LEDs begin to dance yellow while they communicated wirelessly. He remained contemplative as the others talked. It was different again. Vastly different. Just like the last murder…
"That's way different from the original…The Hickory Killer took his victim to a local beehive and smashed the damn thing. He must have used something to rile those bees up, because they swarmed the victim instantly. There was barely an inch of her left without a sting by the time they were finished," Reed recounted with a shiver. They'd found a beekeeper's hood left on the edge of the scene. He'd clearly planned it and gotten the proper gear ready ahead of time. Forensics had turned up nothing within the hood, as expected. The Hickory Killer wouldn't have left it behind on purpose if there'd been a way of tracing him on it. He'd been mocking them. Mocking Reed. Hive been waiting for you, Detective. I watched your press release. You were quite brilliant with your honeyed words, though they carried quite the sting. We'll speak again when the clock strikes six. Tick-tock, Detective, tick-tock. Reed shivered as he remembered the note that had been left behind for him, the G on the envelope marking it as being specifically for him. The bees had gotten everywhere. In her mouth, down her throat, beneath her clothing. It had left her skin red and swollen, lumpy and unnatural.
"Would you like to examine the scene?" Perkins asked cautiously, watching Reed hesitate a little. It's not him. It's a copycat. It should be safe to go and look around this one…he thought warily before nodding his agreement, ready to get back in the saddle. Technically, he shouldn't. He wasn't on active duty, but he was only consulting, and what harm could it do really? All it did was get him out of the office for a bit. "Detective Anderson?" Perkins queried invitingly as he looked across at Connor, who nodded his acceptance and got to his feet.
The arboretum wasn't too far away. It sat out on the far edge of the Plaza district, almost like an oversized snow globe. The main attraction with the tropical plants and butterflies was like a huge glass golf ball. It wasn't really a place Reed would visit, though maybe Nines would appreciate it. He hadn't asked, but Nines seemed to like plants. At least he always took meticulous care of the small cactus on his desk. Reed huffed as he remembered the doodled pot. Gavin the Cactus, phcking prick…He'd even gotten a custom Tina issued Chibi Gavin scribbled on there. He sighed the thought away as they stepped inside the warm, humid space. A lot of the tropical plants required the specialised environment, as did the flurry of colourful butterflies that flitted about in a myriad of colours.
Reed looked around cautiously as they walked down the path. It was eerily quiet, without even a breeze to disturb the thick foliage. Some would probably call it peaceful, but for Reed, creepy felt like a better description. Something about the atmosphere just made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. It was almost like he was being watched. He looked around with sharp eyes, listening for any sound besides their own footsteps. I'm being paranoid…The FBI will have cleared this place out and cordoned it off. Not even staff members will be allowed in here until we're done, he thought as they continued down the neat yellow brick path.
"Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore…" he murmured lightly as he looked around at all the oddly shaped leaves and colourful flowers. Nines raised an eyebrow at him as he processed the comment. He didn't understand the reference until he searched Reed's words on the network and looked for anything significant in the environment.
"I don't think this road leads to the Emerald City, Detective," Nines teased lightly, unsure he'd made the correct statement. He felt…relieved — Amused? Warm? — as Reed huffed out a chuckle and looked at him with an almost impressed expression. They continued down the twisting path, which wound its way through the ball in circles. Reed paused as a black and teal butterfly the size of his hand fluttered by without a care. "It appears she was found in a central location…" Nines observed as they reached a more open area where a lot of colourful flowers had been planted in sections. Colin stepped in to lead the way to one of the beds. A curved indent had been left behind where flowers had been bent and crushed beneath the weight of the body.
"But why this bed?" Connor asked curiously as he leaned down to analyse the type of flowers. They were pink, so perhaps the colour was significant. Reed walked up and down a little way, eyeing the different flowers. They seemed to have been planted according to colour rather than country of origin or type in this area. He walked back, counting the bays. She hadn't been placed dead centre, so it was likely that the colour was important or held meaning.
"Show me the victim," Reed said as he stopped beside Colin, who brought up his hand and obliged with a holographic image of the scene. Reed leaned in to get a good look at her. Her eyes were closed peacefully. There wasn't a mark on her skin to show how she'd died. He didn't see any bruising either. She was also young. Not a child, but still barely out of her teens. She had glossy chestnut hair that had been almost lovingly brushed and curled over her shoulders. She was youthful. Fresh. Pretty. Innocent. "He took care of her…"
"Perhaps the colour of the flowers is significant…Of all the beds, he chose the pink one. Pink flowers often represent love, innocence and happiness," Connor reported from his place, kneeling on the ground as he plucked one of the small pink blooms and regarded it thoughtfully. He didn't think it was a specific type of flower that was important. There were many breeds sharing the same patch of earth here, and the killer hadn't singled out any one bloom in particular. If that were the case, he would likely have adorned the body somehow, with a garland or bouquet perhaps.
"Any idea what killed her?" Reed asked curiously as he continued to look around. He huffed patiently as a colourful Monarch settled on his jacket in shades of brown and red. He was gentle as he carefully scooped the thing off and crouched to set it on some nearby foliage. It seemed almost disgruntled as it twitched its wings and took flight once more, bumping Reed's temple on the way by.
"Not at this time. There were no open wounds, and the honey in her mouth has obscured any trace of toxins. We will have to wait for forensics to process the body for further data," Colin replied, almost sounding disappointed in himself. Reed rested a hand on his shoulder as he straightened, a comforting gesture of solidarity. It seemed to appease him a little. Connor was also giving him a somewhat comforting look, likely telling him internally that it wasn't his fault, and he wasn't in error. Unfortunately, there were some things even the RK series was limited on. Evidence contamination was one of those things.
"From the lack of injuries I guess he could have drugged her…either that or she knew him well enough not to suspect anything," Reed suggested, which made sense. No outward injuries had included signs of bruising. There would usually be signs of a struggle in human murder cases. Bruising on the neck, wrists or knees was common, as were scratches and scrapes. Her fingernails had also been clean, suggesting she hadn't fought with anyone. Unless he cleaned her up after…He hadn't seen the body, but he'd bet from the freshness of her lips that the copycat had done her makeup when he'd presented her body. He'd certainly taken some extra time to fix her hair.
"Perhaps he picked her up at a club? It wouldn't be unheard of for a victim's drink to be spiked," Connor suggested as he got to his feet, finding no further clues directly around the scene. Reed nodded his agreement. It was a possibility. They'd have to wait for forensics to process her bloodwork to check for alcohol and other toxins. Nines was already busy pulling up a list of clubs local to the area for Colin to peruse later. After they'd spoken to the victim's friends and relatives. They may be able to say if she'd been out at a club the night before. If that were the case, then maybe the security cameras had seen something.
"Right…" Reed trailed off with an agitated sigh as he looked around the green room. Foliage mostly blocked the view outside. He didn't need to look to know that Nines had appeared at his back. He could feel him there, close enough to loom and share body heat without being intrusive. He'd probably freak out if anyone else did it, but Nines just slinked in somehow. He wasn't sure whether it was a primal instinct or whatever, but he just seemed to know when it was Nines.
"You're troubled," Nines observed, resting his hands behind his back in his usual idling pose. It was currently a position shared by the other two androids as well. It was almost eerie, the way all three mirrored each other. They were at least wearing different clothing. Colin was in another one of his snappy suits, a navy one today with its matching waistcoat emphasising his slim waist. Connor was still clinging to his Cyberlife look, the standard issue uniform hugging every curve, and Nines was wearing a black turtleneck and jeans with his high collared white jacket.
"I'm just…Why is he doing it? Why is he still using the Hickory Killer's formula? He left the rhyme, right?" Reed added as he looked at Colin, who nodded his curt agreement. Hickory Dickory Dock, The bee buzzed round the clock, The clock struck five, She went to her hive, Hickory Dickory Dock, Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock. There was even a clock visible from where they stood, though it was further away than usual. It made no sense. The killer's method had strayed so far from the original that it was barely recognisable as the same work. Why cling to the rest of the formula?
"Perhaps he is not yet confident enough to branch out on his own," Nines suggested, watching Reed nod his agreement. That was possible. Everyone clung to their teacher's methods at first. Maybe the killer got a little comfort and security from the old formula, even though he was clearly starting to find his own methods when it came to performing and staging the kills themselves. What would the Hickory Killer think if he saw this though? Reed wondered, feeling that familiar prickle on the back of his neck again. His head whipped round the area, green eyes sharp as he looked for any sign of movement. "Gavin?" Nines questioned cautiously, instantly on guard from Reed's reaction.
"Probably nothing…" Reed replied hesitantly, though his eyes were still searching the area warily. Nines stepped a little closer as he ran his own scan, blue gaze sharpening as he picked up movement. He stepped in front of Reed cautiously, Connor and Colin both moving in closer as they noticed Nines' alert status. The other RK units joined him in scanning the area, both looking at their brother with anxious hazel eyes as they picked it up, too. The atmosphere was tense as everything seemed to freeze. Suddenly, there was movement. "Nines!" Reed cried, reaching for his hip, but remembering he didn't have a sidearm since he wasn't on active duty.
He cursed as he watched Nines spring forward like a tiger, diving through the leafy foliage and quickly disappearing from sight. His feet had started following before he'd even thought about it. Only Colin's strong hand on his arm stopped him from doing so. He cussed out the shy android as he realised that Connor was also gone. Colin had agreed to remain with the two humans while his brothers pursued. He had Reed restrained with one hand as he pulled his gun with the other. He forced Reed behind him, where Perkins was waiting with his own weapon drawn.
"Colin, report!" Perkins ordered in a business tone, sharp grey eyes sweeping the surrounding area cautiously. Colin was just as vigilant, though he remained more focused on the area in front of them where his brothers had disappeared. Shit, Nines and Connor are both gone! If anything happens to those idiots, Hank is going to phcking kill me! Reed thought worriedly as he paced restlessly behind Colin's back. He'd shown no sign of running, so Colin had released him.
"Nines detected an android presence. He and Connor have gone to investigate," Colin reported dutifully, unsure what to do as he registered Reed's quickly rising stress levels. His pacing was becoming a little erratic, as was his breathing pattern. "Detective, I am still in contact with both Nines and Connor. They are unharmed and in pursuit," he assured, hoping the news would help settle him somewhat. It seemed to work. He started breathing deeply, a method of calming his racing heart. "They were unsuccessful. They are returning now," Colin added after a few more minutes as he lowered his gun.
"The phck are you doing running off alone like that?" Reed demanded heatedly the instant Nines' larger form came into view, storming over as Connor made his way to Colin for an interface. Nines deliberately turned his head with the fist Reed threw, limiting the amount of contact it made on his hard casing and saving him from injury. "You're my partner! You don't just phcking run off without saying anything!" Reed continued as he jabbed Nines' chest with his free hand, the other now held securely in Nines' grasp.
"It was my belief that Connor and I could apprehend the android with minimal risk to our own safety," Nines replied defensively, still keeping a hold of Reed's wrist. He'd never really noticed before, but it felt fragile and somewhat small in his own hand. Restraining him would be a simple matter. "I apologise, it wasn't my intention to worry you," he added remorsefully, his expression softening somewhat as Reed insisted he hadn't been worried. It was almost endearing how terrible he'd become at lying. He couldn't even look Nines in the eye.
"The android wasn't a model either of us recognised. The body mass could come from any number of male androids, but from what we could see of the facial structure, it seems to be unique. We would need a better viewpoint to construct an accurate copy, though," Connor reported in an almost disappointed tone. He was usually good at keeping up with fleeing androids, and Nines was even more advanced. This android was slippery. Not only did it clearly have upgraded athletic abilities, but it almost seemed to have planned its escape route. Did it plan on getting seen? Reed blinked at the tickling sensation of a wing on his neck, raising his hand to scoop up a leafy brown butterfly that had taken a liking to his jacket.